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Blinking my poor, abused eyes, I take in the space before me. It looks like a football stadium, the tiered seating high above us and full of bodies. As I take a closer look, I realise there’s a deliberate divide between the two sides of the arena, which is not a coincidence like I first suspected. One side of the seating contains werewolves in their various groups and packs, and the other side seems to seat witches.
They don’t look comfortable. In fact, it appears to be the exact opposite. Fear, anger, and all the emotions in between are on the witches’ faces, and for once, I don’t think it’s aimed at me. They arenothappy to be here. Did they have a choice? Knowing the queen, I seriously doubt it.
Glancing over at the werewolves, I can’t help but notice how their numbers seem lower than they originally did when I first competed in the trials. I noticed it last night, but in the light of day in a stadium this size, it’s much clearer to see. What has caused the decline in the numbers?
We’ve entered the stadium at one end, and at the far end is a raised platform higher than the rest of the seating. There, the council and the queen wait for us, the former wearing their masks and the latter wearing a smirk. She looks perfect, while I look like I’ve been dragged through a hedge. Seated together on six large chairs that look suspiciously like thrones, they seem to be waiting for something specific.
I lower my gaze to see what awaits me. The actual arena itself has been shielded by several huge partitions. Fabric hangs across the width of the pitch, blocking off my view of whatever challenge awaits me, yet it’s hung just below the seating, giving those watching a perfect view. The ground is made up of dirt and sand and doesn’t give me any hint of what I might be facing. I guess I’ll be going into this blind then.
Our escort abruptly stops, fans out, and waits for us to pass. Once we have, I glance over my shoulder and watch as they all step back and form a wall of muscle, blocking the exit completely.
“Welcome.” The voice of Councilman Ruby echoes around the stadium, magically enhanced so no one can mishear him. Silence falls over the stands, and all heads turn to the platform where the council and queen wait. Once again, Councilman Ruby seems to be taking the role of spokesperson for the rest of the silent figures, stepping up to the half wall that surrounds the platform, stopping him from falling to the arena below. Shame.
“This is the final trial for Laelia of no pack,” he continues, his masked head turning as he looks around the stadium. “She has been found guilty of treason to both werewolf and witch kind, and as such, will be put to death.”
My death has been spoken about so candidly for so long now that I only experience a slight twinge at the sentence. I’ve almost died so many times in the last several months, yet here I am. Focusing on surviving is what will get me through, not the death that’s waiting for me.
Loud voices begin to reach me, mainly from the witches, but many of them are raising concerns. I can’t quite make out what they are saying, but it’s definitely not in agreement with the council. When I was still at Haven, I had followers, so it’s quite possible that they are here now. Hope blooms in my chest. If the worst happens and things don’t work out, would they fight with me? Even the werewolves look uncomfortable. I know it will be hard to convince them to fight with us, as the packs that are here seem to be the ones that already follow the council.
Councilman Ruby ignores the rumblings and continues on as though nothing happened, his voice rising above us all. “This trial is for her to prove herself and earn a death worthy of a warrior. If she fails, then she and her mates will be put to death like vermin.”
Movement behind him pulls my attention to the queen, who is standing from her throne. Her dress is an angelic cream colour, and her golden curls almost glow in the light. With her hands clasped loosely in front of her, she addresses the crowd. “We have all been brought together for a joint purpose, and as such, we can now start to put the pain of the past behind us and move forward to a brighter future.”
Why is she suddenly acting like a sweet, virginal queen who only wants the best for both races? The only thing she wants is power, and she’s figured out that partnering with the council is the only way she’s going to be able to do that. The urge to roll my eyes at her flowery words is strong, and in the end, I give in to it, shaking my head. From Syn’s snort, I know he’s not convinced by her act either. I observe the reactions of those watching. Most of them seem suspicious and unsure.
For years, both races have been taught to hate each other, and now they are being brought together without warning and being told that werewolves and witches are going to build a future together. I don’t blame them for being wary.
“Laelia.” Councilman Ruby finally addresses me, my spine going rigid. “Your final trial is before you, made up of three different challenges. Once you pass one stage, the next will be revealed to you. Reach this side of the arena, and you win the trial.” He tilts his head to one side. “Do you have any last words?”
I’m surprised that he’s giving me the opportunity to speak out. I could say anything against them right now, but there’s only one thing on my mind—my family. I include my father, mates, and Luna in that category, because to me, that’s exactly what they are. Blood doesn’t make a family, actions do, and they’ve proven over and over again that they are part of mine. “Where is my family?” My voice is steady and loud, and despite the fact I’m not using magic to project my voice, I know they hear me.
“They are here, safe and waiting for you.” Taking the queen’s hand, Ruby stands tall and turns to address the crowd. “Let the final trial begin.”
The large fabric partition that hangs before me drops to the ground, and I find an archway waiting for me. A shudder passes through me as I remember the last archway I had to pass through, but I try to push that to the back of my mind so I can focus. I can’t afford to get distracted. Stepping forward, I frown when I find nothing else in the space except the archway in front of the next partition.
Hearing a noise behind me, I turn and find the guards blocking Syn’s path. He’s throwing himself around, trying to break through and be with me, but to no avail.
“She must do this alone,” the werewolf guard who led us here barks, his face set in a sneer as he glares at my mate.
Syn seems determined to get past them, getting more and more worked up as they start to use force to disable him.No, no, they can’t hurt him. “Syn, stop.” My voice is gentle, and as he looks up at me, I push my feelings for him down the bond, comforting him. “I need you to be safe for me to complete this.”
His eyes clear of the madness, and I know he understands. He nods and relaxes in the guard’s hold. Managing to muster up a tiny smile, I make sure he’s okay and turn to face the archway.
Everyone seems to fall silent as I walk towards the arch, the only sounds made by my feet crunching on the gravel. I can’t see anything on either side of the stone structure, and in the centre is just a reflection of me. Unsure how to proceed, I look up, searching for answers, but Councilman Ruby begins speaking again.
“Warriors are wise and can see different meanings behind the challenges they must face. As such, the first part of this challenge is a riddle. Once you know the answer, step to the arch and give the password. If you are correct, you will be allowed through, and if not, the archway will tear you apart.”
An arch that can tear me to pieces. How wonderful. I shouldn’t have really expected anything less. The council and the witch queen have teamed up to create this after all, so I’m expecting it to be twisted.
“You have one minute to work it out, and your time starts as soon as the riddle has been read aloud. Here it is. What is there one of in every corner and two of in every room?”
My mind goes blank. I’ve always hated riddles, my brain not thinking in the right way to work out each answer. My mind twists and picks apart the question, attempting to look for every angle.Two in every room. Could it be windows? No, that doesn’t work. One in every corner… Radiators? No, that can’t be right. Time ticks down, and I get more and more frantic as I try to work out the answer.See the different meaning behind the challenge, that’s what the councillor said, so maybe the question doesn’t mean physically. An answer suddenly comes to me, one that fits, but I’m not sure if I’m right. It’s a twist on what might be expected, which is usually exactly what a riddle needs.
“You have ten seconds remaining,” the queen’s angelic voice rings out, causing me to grit my teeth in annoyance. She’s enjoying every moment of this.
“Shit,” I curse under my breath, jogging over to the archway with my heart beating like a drum. Do I risk using my answer? I don’t have much of a choice either way, and I don’t have any other ideas about what the password could be. I’m almost out of time. Taking a deep breath and trusting in the goddess, I place my hands on either side of the archway.
“The answer is the letter O.” The arch seems to buzz under my hands, and with a confidence I don’t feel, I step through. A tingling sensation passes through me, but other than that, I feel nothing else, no agonising pain as I’m ripped apart. I hastily step through to the other side just in case it made a mistake, and I realise I must have got the answer right.
